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Is Augmented Reality Ready for Prime Time? 5 Tips to Get You Started

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Steve Johnson
Is Augmented Reality Ready for Prime Time? 5 Tips to Get You Started

Augmented reality (AR) has the potential to be one of the most revolutionary advancements in digital technology. Once implemented, it could transform how people view and interact with the world, and how businesses operate within it. But while AR is one of the most exciting developments in the digital space today, it’s also more than a little confusing for non-techies. And that’s not going to change anytime soon. With so much happening in this emerging field, it can be hard to keep track of what’s new, what works well, and what doesn’t yet have a solid implementation or commercial viability. Here are five tips on how you can get started with augmented reality right now.


Know what augmented reality is already

First things first. Before you start looking into integrating AR into your business strategy, you’ll want to familiarize yourself with the fundamentals of what augmented reality actually is. So, what is augmented reality? Let’s start by dismantling that definition. AR is a technology that blends virtual images with the real world using special hardware or software. You may have heard it referred to as “mixed reality,” “augmented reality,” or “virtual reality,” depending on whom you’re talking to. So, a better description would be “whether reality is what you expect it to be or a whole ‘other thing.”


Focus on practical uses for AR

Much of the hype around AR can make the technology seem like a magical, futuristic tool — and it is, at least in part — but that doesn’t mean it can’t be used to solve real-world problems. The best way to figure out if it’s right for your business is to think critically about what problems your customers face, and how AR could enhance their experiences by solving those issues. For example, in the healthcare sector, AR could be helpful for physicians, who could use it to view and interact with patient medical records, like scans and graphs. It could even be used to show patients how to properly use the equipment they’re using, like an exercise bike or treadmill.


Strive for a seamless experience

While the idea of blended reality is intriguing, the technology simply isn’t there yet to create a seamless experience from end to end. Even when it is, there will likely be a lot of growing pains before businesses can expect to see a significant return from investing in AR. That’s why the best bet, for now, would be to focus on practical applications for the technology, like the ones we mentioned above. As for the rest, the best strategy for getting started is to consider what your customers would find helpful and then build something useful.


Stay informed about future developments and trends

While many people are focusing on what can be done with AR today, it’s also important to keep an eye on the broader technological trends and innovations that may affect the future implementation of the technology. For example, while 5G wireless is considered a key enabler for AR, it’s not meant to bring VR into the equation. That means that if you’re looking to implement both technologies in the future, you’ll need to figure out a way to incorporate both into your business strategy. Moreover, while progress has been steady, it’s important to note that there are still many challenges that need to be overcome before augmented reality can be considered truly ready for prime time.


Industries We Serve - Ar Vr App Development

In addition to keeping up with developments in the field, you’ll also want to stay informed about the business potential of augmented reality. One way to do that is to look for opportunities to partner with other companies that are trying to implement AR in their operations. For example, if you run a restaurant, you may be interested in finding out if your customers would find it helpful to see what their meals would look like before deciding upon their orders. Businesses also stand to benefit from integrating AR capabilities into their operations, like a healthcare facility that could use it to let patients view their medical records.


Wrapping Up

Augmented reality has the potential to be one of the most transformative technologies in Digital Technology. But while it’s impressive in theory, it’s also more than a little confusing for non-techies. That’s why the best strategy for getting started is to consider practical uses for the technology, like those we’ve mentioned above, and then focus on building something useful.

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